Tension device



Aug. 26, 1941; I H..W. HITCHCOCK I 2,253,521

' TENSION DEVICE Filed Aug. 11, 1938 f 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Aug. [26, 1941 .-2,25 3,52 1 TENSION nnvron Harold Wood Hitchcock, Apponaug B. 1., assignor to Universal Winding Company, acorporation of Massachusetts Boston, Mass.,

Application August 1," 1938, Serial m.- zzssac v 12 Claims; (Greta-156)v The present invention relates to improvements in devices for as yarn, thread and the like during their delivery to winding machines or in other transfer processes.

One object of the invention is to provide a tension-device having means for controlling the tensloning strand materials such f operation thereof to maintain a more uniformtuations therein. i

"Another object of the invention is to provide a tension-device comprising opposed disks adapted to, bear against the strand to resist its travel I therehetween with means bearing against the rims of the disks to exert a yieldable pressure tension on the strand without intermittent flllCr 1 thereon without permitting the disks to chatter or vibrate. t L Another object of the invention is to provide means for sensitively controlling the tensiondisks to permit them to respond to irregularities in the resistance to the draft on the strand at its source of supply and to permit the passage .of knots, slubs, bunches and enlargements on r the strand through the tension-device without causing complete relief of the appliedtension or undue fluctuation therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tension-device comprising opposed disks having progressively relieving the applied tension as -the" linear speed of theyarn is increased during the winding operation;

. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of one form of the present tension-device shownpart-sectional in a plane coincident with the axis of the tension-disks; v i Fig. 3 is a'perspective view of one of the resilient diaphragms. employed for applying pressure to the rims of the tension-disks; v Fig. 4 is a part-sectional view of a modified form of the tension-device embodying a spring for applying pressure to the resilient-'diaphragms which act against the rims of the tension-disks; Fig. 5 is a similar view showing weighted means for applying pressure to' the diaphragm which act againstthe tension-disks;

Fig. 6 is apart-sectional view of a still further modified form of construction of the tensionflanged rims with resilient diaphragms bearing against said rims to exert a uniform pressure on is to provide the disks.-

Y Another object of the invention a tension-devicecomprising opposed disks with means for regulating the pressure on the disks to vary the tension applied to the strand in accordance with the rate ofits linear travel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tension-device having improved pressure-regulating means operated automatically from the winding machine to which" the strand delivers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tension-device of simple structure and arrangement adapted for economical manufacture and proof against derangement and excessive wear a during extended periods of operatioh.

I Further objects of the invention are set forth in the'ioliowing specification which describes, ,by way of example, several preferred forms of ;constl"uction of the tension-device and the method of applying it to use as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig.- 1 is a side elevation of a conventionaltype "of winding, machine showing the present imf proved tension-device applied-to use therewith and embodying automatically operated means for spindle.

.by the cant-shalt 4.

device; Fig. 7 is the pressure means as consisting of spider-like springs having radial arms bearing against the rims ofthe'tension-disks'; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the pressuresprings shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

In the'present' drawings the invention is shown as applied' to use, with a winding machine of usual construction,-- but it is to be, understood that it may have other uses in connection with textile apparatus of different types employed forvarious purposes.- The present improvedtensiondevice may be employed for applying tension to a yamfeeding at a constant speed or it may be adapted for use in combination with means for applying a varying degree of tension to the strand as its'speed of draft is varied during its take-up by the machine. v

Fig. l of the drawings type 'of winding .machine comprising a main frame 2 having upper bearings for a rotary winding spindle 3 and lower bearings for'a camshaft 4. Cylindrical or conical packages may be wound on the spindle by traversing the yarn longitudinallythereof through the means of a thread-guide 5 which is supported on a swinging frame 0 and reciprocated longitudinallyof the The thread-guide 5 is connected toa reciprocatory traverse-rod l slidable in grooved bearings inthe traverse-frame, and actuated from a helical cam, not herein shown, rotated I The traverse-frame 8 is pivoted on the ends ofthe'cam-shaft l. to adapt the thread-guide I carried thereby to move outwardly away from the winding spindle l as the .a side elevation ofithe same'showlns t illustrates a well known package is built up thereon. The traverse-frame 8 is counterbalanced by a weighted arm 9 depending from its forward bearing on the camshaft 4 whereof to maintain the thread-guide 3 in contact with the surface of the package throughout the winding operation.

The elements above described, as well as certain other parts shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings,

are common to-wlndingmachines of the present type and will not be further referred to herein l0 except in connection with the means for automatically varying the amount of tension applied to the strand in proportion to its increase in linear speed as the package increases in-diameter during the winding operation. Suflice it to statel5 here that it is a common practice to provide means actuated by the/movement of the threadguide away from the winding spindle to gradually and continuously relieve the tension on the strand as its speed of draft increases with the growth in diameter of the package. The present invention contemplates improved means for varying the action of the tension-device for the same purpose and this'means will be later described in detail.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the present improved tension-device comprises a pair of concavo-convex disks I0 and ii rotatablymounted on an axial spindle l2 which is herein shown as being of tubular or sleeve-like structure. The

tubular spindle I2 is held fixed at one end in a suitable support which, in the present case, is constituted by a hub I3 at the end of a curved arm constructed as a bracket I4, shown-in Fig. 1 as fastened to the side of the winding machine frame 2. The spindle l2may be flxedly secured in the hub 13 by any suitable means such as a set-screw l5 screwed into the hub with its end impinging against the side of the spindle. Extending radially from the hub I3 is a disk-like flange i1 formed with an overhangingannular rim II which partly encloses the tensionedisk iii in the manner of a hood.

The tension-disks l0 and I l are preferably constructed-from sheet-metal and formed to substantially saucer shape with their main radial portions having flat faces adapted to bear against the strand s drawing therebetween. Radially outward beyond the flat portions of the tensiondisks they are flared laterally inarcuate shape in cross-section and terminate in radial flanges forming flat rims 20 and 21 substantially parallel with their main flat faces. p I

The means forapplying pressure to thedisks to. force them toward each other to bear against the strand consists in a flexible diaphragm for 55 each disk constructed from suitable resilient material such as rubber, fiber or the like. The diaphragms 25 are of disk-like-form, as shown in Fig. i 3, and of substantially the same outside diameter as the tension-disks Ill and to adapt them to .60

bear against the rims 20 and 2| of the latter in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2. The diaphragms 2| are formed with axial holes 23 to adapt them to be supported on the central spindle l2 and v pressure is applied to the sides of the diaphragms adjacent their centers to cause themto yieldingly pressagainst the outer'rims 20 and 2| of the disks 1. and H.

in Figs. 1 and 2, a preferred form of construction of the pressure means vcomprises a plunger-pin 21 which isslidable in the axial bore of the hollow spindle l2 and carries a tubular hub V orthimble 28 at its outer end for engaging the side of the outer-disk 25. The inner disk 25 has 76 its central portion bearing against a relatively the main frame 2 of the machine.

thin washer 23 abutting the end of the hub ii in which the spindle I2 is held. The thimble 28 is bored axially at 33 to receive the end of the spindle i2 to adapt it to slide thereon and is secured to the plunger-pin 21 by suitable. means such as a set-screw 3|. It will thus be observed that when the plunger-pin 21 is slid to the left as viewed in Fig. 2 the thimble 23- will bear against the central portion of the outer diaphragm 25 to exert pressure on both diaphragms whereof to cause them to yieldingly press against the rims 20 and 2| of the two disks I0 and II. As the pressure of the thimble is increased the diaphragmswill be flexed tocause them to be bowed inwardly toward each other to a slight extent.

Any suitable'means may be employed for sliding the plunger-pin 21 through the bore of the spindle l2 and, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the present drawings, a rockable lever 33 is provided for this purpose. The lever 33 is pivoted on a screw or stud 34 screwed into a bearing 35 on an arm 36 projecting upwardly from the mounting i3 for the spindle l2 and formed integrally with the arm or bracket I. At the lower end of the lever 331s a slot 31 into which the bent end 33 of the plunger-pin 21 is hooked. In the embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, means are provided for rocking the lever 33 to slide the plunger-pin 21 to vary the amount of pressure applied by the thimble 28 to flex the diaphragms 25. That is to say, where a difle'rential or varying degree of tension is to be applied to the strand in accordance with its changing linear speed during its feed to the winding package the lever 33 is rocked continuously during the winding operation to slide the plunger-pin 21 to the right as viewed in Fig. 2- whereof to relieve the pressure on the diaphragms 25.

As shown in Fig. 1 the means for rocking the Q lever 33 includes a weighted lever 40 connected to the counterweighted arm 3 of the traverseframe 6 to adapt it to be actuated therefrom as the thread-guide 5 swings outwardly away from a the winding spindle 3. It has before been proposed in the present art to employ'weighted levers rocked on their pivots by the swinging movement of the traverse-frame to vary both the pressure of'the thread-guide against the package and the degree of tension applied to the 0 running yarn or'thread. Heretofore, however,

one lever usually has been pivoted directly to the frame 2 of the machine for applying pressure to the thread-guide and a second lever pivoted on the flrstlever and connected to control the tension-device. In the present improved form of construction the pressure lever and tension-lever are mounted separately and separately connected to the traverse-frame I to adapt them'to act independently of each other and to be adjusted individually. As illustrated in Fig. 1, a pressure lever 41 is pivoted on a stud l2 screwed into the side of the arm or bracket M which is fast on A rod 43 connected at 44 to the pressure lever 4| has'its opposite bent end hooked into one of a series of notches ll-inan adiusting'element or plate 43 fastened to the weighted and I of'the traverseframe 3. The pressure lever ll carries a slldable weight 41 which may be adjusted toward and away from its fulcrum to vary the amount of resistance which the lever applies to' the swinging movement ,of the traverse-frame 3. By adjusting the rod 43 in the different notches 45 the extent of upward swinging movement of the lever ll canbe regulated, it being apparentthat as the tending to rock the lever 33 to the left, as viewed in Fig. I, is decreased its pressure on the plungerpin 21 is likewise relieved so'that less pressure pressure lever swings upwardduri'ng the movement of the traverse-frame 6 as the thread-guide recedes from the axis of the package-during the growth in diameter thereof the efiect of the weight 41- will be lessened to relieve the pressure 6 of the guide -on the package.- The arrangement of the pressure lever and its method of action f hooked end engaged with one of a series of holes Ed in the adjusting member or plate ie carried by the arm 9 of the traverse irame 5. The for- I ward end of the rod 69 has a right-angled pork tion 50 hooked through thelever it with its end serving as a pivot bearing for the tension-lever it mounted thereon. The pivoted end of the tension lever dd is or quadrant shape having an 2 arcuate slot 52 1 formed therein. At the rear of this portion of the tension lever. is another angularly shaped lever 53 having one of its arms pivoted on the bent end of the rod 89. A screw 55 passing through the slot 62 in the lever is 3 screwed into the lever 53 to provide means for adjusting the tension-lever in angular relation to the latter. The angular lever 53 is connected at its upper end at to a rod 55 which has its opposite end hooked through a hole 51 in the lever 33. Preferably, the lever 33 has a series of holes ill for adjustably connecting the lever 52 therewith toregulate its action on the pressure means of the tension-device.

Arranged below the tension-device is a wire guide supported from the bracket I4 and disposed in position to guide the strand 3 between the opposed faces of the tension-disks l0 and H. The strands is drawn upwardly from the tension-device over a guiding pin or rod GI and thence leads across. a thread-bail 8 on the traverse-fram '6 to direct it througha groove in the thread-guide 5. The end of the strand of yarn or the like is attached to a paper cop-tube :c or other yarn-carrier or core for the package and when the machine is started'to operate-the yarn is wound thereon to build up a package of overlying layers composed of helical coils deposited byfthe', reciprocating thread-guide 5. As the winding. package increases-.-, in diameter the thread-guide 5; is forced outwardly away from the spindle 3, thereby causing the traverse-frame 6 to rock outwardly or in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. The lower weighted arm 9, of t e traverse-frame is thus caused to swing 60 rea ardly away from the tension-devic and during this movement the rod 43 connected thereto will rock the pressure lever 4| upwardly to alter its leverage whereof to relieve the pressuref'of. thethread'-guide I against package. At the same time the rod 49, also connected to 'zof'the traverse-frame, will: rock the y lever ,48- in the same direction, or pivot ll of the tension- H towardtheflert. The dlsplacement of 'ot Ill otgthe tension-lever 4! causes the v upwardly to reduce its lever- ,er py its pmsur on 66, which jtedflbetween, lever 53 and flfi lliisiteduoed. As the pressure or force is exerted by the thimble 28 against the side of the outer diaphragm 25. In this way the pressure ofthe two diaphragms on the tension-disks l0 and H is-reduced so that the disks will bear less firmly against the strand 3 drawing therebetween whereof to reduce the tension applied to the yarn. It will be understood that this relief of the pressure on the diaphragms and the corresponding decrease in the pressure of the tension-disks against thestrand is efiected gradually and continuously from start to finish of the winding of each package and in proportion to the increase in linear speed of the strand as -it feeds 'to the winding. Stated another way, as

the speed of draft of the yarn increases due to the growing diameter of the package being wound the applied tension on the yarn is gradually relieved so that the ultimate tension remains substantially constant or uniform throughout the winding. 7

.As the strand passes rapidly between the two tension-disks ill and ii at one side of the spindle l2 it has a tendency to rotate the disks and this rotative action is resisted to a slight extent by vthe pressure of the thimble 28 and the washer 29 against the sides of the diaphragms 25. However, the rapid draft of the strand is sufiicient'to rotate the disks slowly with a sort of creeping action whereby new surface is continuously pre-. sented to the running strand to. prevent wearing grooves in the faces of the disks. With the present improved construction and arrangement of th tension-device and the means for varying the pressure onthe tension-disks the strand is delivered to the winding machin or other apparatus under substantially uniform tension during the variation in its linear speed. That is to say, where normally the increase in linear speed of the yarn would increase the.frictional effect of the tension-disks thereon, by relieving the pressure on the tension-disks in proportion to the increasing speed of draft of the yarn the applied tension is relieved to compensate for the increase in linear speed of. the yarn. The engagement of the diaphragms 25 with the disks at a distance from their axis maintains the disks in substantial parallelism while permitting them to separate to permit the passage of, knots, slubs, bunches or other enlargements on the strand. ;On the other hand, this novel arrangement for applying the pressure'at the outer rims of the disks has the efiect to prevent them from rocking or canting to set up vibration or chattering which would cause fluctuations in the tension applied to the strand.

While the present: tension-device is particularly well adapted for use as above described it may also be employed to advantage in applying tension to a strand feeding at a constant rate. In such case the means forv applying pressure '-to the exibie diaphragms 25 may consist of a Q ing against the outer diaphragm 25. A helical wire spring I! surrounding the spindle 82 has one) end engaged with the washer 83 and is "held under compression'byfa collar 66 which is adjustable longitudinally of the spindle 62 and secured'in place by a set-screw 61. By adjustin: the-positionoi the collar 66 the tension ofthe spring 85 may be regulated to apply the proper amount of pressure on the diaphragms 28 whereby to secure the required degree of tension on the strand feeding between the disks I8 and II. It will be understood that the diaphragm '25 operatein the manner as previouscally and weights 18 applied to its upper end to 1 serve as pressure means for the diaphragms. The weights may be of disk-like form. slidable on the'spindle .68 to rest upon a small washer 1| which bears against the upper diaphragm 25. In this case the device operates in the same manner as that shown in Fig. 4 with the diaphragms bearing against the rims 28 and 21 of the,disks I0 and H to cause them topress against the strand s drawing therebetween.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings illustrate a still further modified form of construction of the means for applying pressure to the tensiondisks. In these latter views the tension-device is illustrated in substantially the same form as. shown in Fig. 2 with the tension-disks l8 and II mounted on a tubular spindle I! held in the hub l3 of the bracket ll. In place of the rubber or fiber diaphragms 25, however, resilient springs of spider-like shape are arranged to bear against the rims 28 and 2| of the disks l8 and II. As shown most clearly in Flgs.'7 and 8, the springs are constructed of relatively thin sheet-metal ly or creep. Any convenient means may be provided for preventing rotation of the springs 18 and, as illustrated in- Figs. 6 and 7, a pin or.

stud 8| is screwed into the side of the flange l1 of the hub. 18 with its end projecting into engagement with one of the arms 11 of the spring 18. To hold the outer spring 18 from rotative movement a wire ring '82 formed to snap into a groove 88 in the thimble 28 is provided with a right-angular leg 84 at one end which projects into position to engage one of the arms 11 of the spring.

With the tension-device constructed in the form as last described its method of operation is substantially the same as first explained, pressure being applied to-the central portions or hubs 18 of the springs 15 to cause the extremities of their arms 11 to bear against the flanged rims 28 and 2| of the tension-disks l8 and H to yieldably press the disks against the strand s. The pressure of the springs 18 is adjusted by regulating the force applied to the plunger-pin 21 to urge the thimble 28 against the outer spring 15, and with the maximum pressure applied the springs will be bowed inwardly toward each other while their arms 11 act resiliently to adapt them to yield when the tension-disks are forced apart by the passage of a knot, bunch or other enand preferably tempered to give them proper resilient action. Each spring 15 is formed with an annular hub portion 16 and a plurality of arms 11 radiating therefrom in angularly spaced relationship. Preferably, the springs 18 have three equidistantly spaced arms, but a greater number may be provided in some instances. The hubs 18 of the springs 15 are formed with central apertures 18 for receiving the axial spindle I2 and the arms 11 are dimensioned to adapt their ends to bear against the flanged portions 20 and 2| of the disks l8 and II as shown in Fig. 6. A felt or other type of cushion washer 88 is arranged in abutting relationship with the end of the hub i3 and bears against the hub 18 of the inner spring 15; while the hub of the outer spring 15 is engaged by the end of the thimble 28 which is fast on the end of thee plunger-pin 21. Pressure is applied to the springs 15 to force the tension-disks l8- and H toward each other by sliding the plunger-pin 21 as, for example, by the action of the lever 33 described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

,With this latter form of construction of the tensi on device'it has been found that there is a tendency for the tension-disks to spin or rotate rapidly under the draft on the yarn. .due to the fact thatthe bearings of the disks and the springs 15 on the spindle 12 are of relatively small dimensions and substantially frictionless. Therefore, it has been found preferable to prevent rotation of the springs 15 so that their frictional engagement with the rims of the disks i8 and II will have the effect to retard the rotative movement of the disks. That is to say, the frictional engagement between the ends of the arms 11 of the'springs and the rims 28 and 21 of the disks l8 and II will provide a largement on the strand 3. This last-described modified form of construction of the tension-device is particularly well adapted for use in tensioning yarns which have been moistened or emulsified as the liquid is apt to deteriorate the rubber diaphragms employed with the previously-described embodiment.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides an improved tensiondevice having novel means for applying pressure to one or a pair of tension-elements to cause the latter to bear against a running strand to apply a uniform tension thereto. The improvement is particularly adapted for use with a tension-device comprising opposed disks between which the strand feeds and the pressure means may comprise resilient diaphragmsysprings or the like bearing against the rims of the disks; or in other cases, a single disk may be used arranged in opposed relation to a fixed member across which the strand draws and with the resilient diaphragm or spring acting on the single disk. Due to the present novel arrangement for applying the pressure at the outer rim-of the disk or disks the latter willbe restrained from excessive rocking, or canting motion and thus prevented from chattering or vibrating to cause fluctuations in the tension applied to the strand. The present invention also provides improved means for automatically varying the force of the pressure means to adjust the amount of tension applied to the strand. in accordance with changes in its linear speed of draft whereby to maintain a .more uniform and constant ultimate tension on eral preferred forms of construction, it is to be understood that other modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim: r

1. A tension-device comprising opposed tension-disks having contact faces adapted to bear against a strand feeding therebetween and flaring peripheral rims. and resilient elements bearv 2,253,: 2i 1 l y j v plunger-pin adapted'to bear against the other ing directly against the peripheral rims of the said disks to press them against the strand.

2. A tension-device comprising opposed disklike members having relatively flat faces adapted to bear against a strand drawing therebetween and flaring peripheral rims, resilient means I bearing directly against the peripheral rims of the disks, and means bearing against said resilient means at points adjacent the axes of the disks to apply pressure to force the'disks toward thereto to press the disks against the strand.

4. A tension-device comprising a spindle, a pair ofconcavo-convex disks rotatably mounted on said spindle, a pair of resilient diaphragms arranged with their outer portions bearing against the peripheral rims of the disks, and

means to apply pressure to the central portions of said diaphragms.

diaphragm adjacent the center thereof.

9. A tension-device comprising a hollow spindle, a'pair of concavo-convex disks rotatably and slidably mounted on said spindle, a pair of resilient diaphragms supported from the spindle with their outer portions in engagement with the flaring rims of the disks, fixed means bearing against the central portion of one of said diaphragms, a plunger slidable through the bore of the spindle, means on said plunger bearing I against the central portion of the otherdiaphragm, and a weighted lever connected to slide j the plunger to flexthe diaphragms to apply pres-V. sure to the rims of the disks.

10. In combination with the winding spindle and thread-guide of a winding machine adapted to recede one from the other during the growthin the winding, a tension-device comprising a disk adapted to bear against the strand feeding to the winding spindle and having a 5. A tension-device comprising disks adapted to bear against a'strand drawing therebetween and having flaring peripheral rims, and resilient elements having a central portion and arms radiating therefrom with their ends engaging directly against the outer edges of the peripheral rims of the disks to apply pressure thereto.

6. A tension-device comprising a spindle, a disk mounted rotatably on said spindle and adapted to bear against a strand drawing thereacross, said disk having a flaring rim at its outer, periphery, resilient means bearing against the rim of the disk, a plunger slidable axially of said disk, and means on said plunger engaging the resilient means adjacent the axis of the disk to cause the resilient means to flex as it bears against the outer rim of the disk. I

7. A tension-device comprising a tubular spindle, a tension-disk rotatably and slidably mounted on the spindle to adapt it to bear against a strand drawing thereacross, a resilient diaphragm supported on the spindle with its outer rim hearing against the outer rim of the disk, aplunger slidable through the bore of the spindle, and an abutment on the end of the plunger adapted to bear against the diaphragm to flex the latter to apply pressure against the rim of the disk..

8. A tension-device comprising a hollow spindle, a pair of disks rotatably mounted on said spindle, a pair of resilient diaphragms supported on the spindle with their outer portions bearing against the outer rims ofthe disks, a flxed abutment engaging one of the diaphragms adjacent its center, a plunger-pin slidable through the bore of the spind1e,.and' an abutment on the flaring rim at its outer periphery, a flexible ele- -ment arranged to bear against the outer rim of the disk, means for applying pressure to said element adjacent the axial center thereof, and means actuated by and with the'separation of the winding spindle and thread-guide to move said pressure means to reduce the pressure of the resilient element against the rim of the tensionspindle and having flaring rims. at'their-outer peripheries, resilient elements arranged to bear solely against the rims of said tension-disks, and means actuated by the lever for applying pressure against the central portion of one of the resilient elements to cause the latter to bear against the rim of one tension-disk with a variable pressure thereon as the tension-lever is rocked during the winding of a package.

12. A tension-device comprising a tubular mounting, a. pair of tension-disks supported con- 'centrically of the mounting and adapted to bear I against a strand drawing therebetween, said tenso i ' the latter to apply pressure against sion-disks having flaring rims at their outer peripheries, resilient diaphragms .bearing against the flaring rims of the tension-members, a plunger-pin slidable in the tubular mounting, and an abutment on the end of the plunger adapted to bear against one of the diaphragms to flex the rim of the disk on which it bears. i

mom woon monsoon. 

